Work

HOXA13 overexpression is associated with poor prognosis in colorectal liver metastases

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Curative-intent hepatectomy in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM) is guided by clinical criteria; however, molecular biomarkers may enhance prognostication. Homeobox (HOX) gene family is often dysregulated in cancer and may serve as a prognostic tool in metastatic colorectal cancer. Bulk RNA extraction was performed in frozen colorectal liver tumors (N = 39), and differentially expressed HOX genes using clinical risk scores were studied using supervised hierarchical clustering. In sum, 667 differentially expressed genes were found ( p < 0.05), including multiple HOXA and HOXD family genes ( p < 0.01; q <0.01). Three long non-coding RNA species (lncRNAs) were differentially expressed: HOTTIP , HOXA-AS5 , and HOXD-AS2 ( p < 0.01; q <0.01). HOXA13 and HOTTIP were more likely to be expressed in patients with metastatic recurrence (log-rank p = 0.004). A composite HOX score was found to be predictive of OS and RFS (log-rank p = 0.0269 and 0.0273, respectively). HOXA13 , HOXD4 , and HOXD8 were explored in five independent cohorts. HOX genes and their associated lncRNAs exhibit prognostic associations in patients with CRCLM and may act as biomarkers to refine clinical decision-making.

Source: Surgical Oncology Insight

DOI: 10.1016/j.soi.2025.100194